Motorcycle Suggestions
 

Next summer my son and I will be traveling from the U.S through Mexico, Central American and on to Buenos Aires. We plan to buy good used cycles here and ship them back upon arrival in Argentina. What suggestions do you have for a reliable cycle that would be easily repaired on this route and that wouldn't be as prone to theft.

Thanks!

Suzuki DR650 / DRZ400S or Kawasaki KLR650 would all be good choices and cheap in the states!

BMW R1200GS and/or BMW F650GS (CAN-bus models)...:mchappy:

Have/had them both and rode the snot out of them. Dead-bolt reliable and easy to maintain :thumbup1:.

You will need more than next summer. For one summer, consider the states to Panama at best. Don't know much about Cent AM, but for "easy to repair" in S Am, consider a small Honda (250cc or less), like a hero.

Otherwise, consider any large japanese enduro. KLR, DR, XL's. Hondas have the most parts available, CO & EC may be exceptions.

If you're both riding your own bikes then I'd firstly suggest choosing the same bikes (same year if possible): spares choice and carriage will be so much easier.

Following the same logic, I'd choose anything from 250 to 800 as an engine size. 400-650 is a good compromise bracket in terms of weight and power.

If you plan to stick to dirt more than tarmac (asphalt) then a smaller engine and a single cylinder will put you in good stead. Vice versa, if you prefer tarmac when the choice exists, then at least 600 would make the ride easier, as well as maybe a twin: possibly comfier on long legs of the journey. Weight will be a less of an issue too.

A decent subframe, option for different luggage, decent lights, decent tank size/consumption (Ideally a 250 mile range is good for some parts of SA) and above all (for me) COMFORT! Make sure you are comfy in the saddle.

Really the only way to decide once you've whittled it down to a short list is to test ride!!!

Happy hunting.
:scooter:

Some options...
 

Very good and still available:

Suzuki DR 650 SE

KLR 650

both are around 5000.- US new! Incredible cheap... or look for used bikes.

Some friends did it last year:

The Bundschuhs

Have fun!

Jens, right now in Chile:scooter:

Agree, Dr650 or KLR 650. 2 of you. Buy same bike re spare parts & Common knowledge.

you can pick up a pair of Suzuki GS500 pretty cheap, and they can be made into a great long distance bike. Very comfortable, big fuel tank, great economy, and simple to keep together. Parts are easy to find, and the fairing offers a lot of wind protection while hiding a comfortable seating position.

And you can put a decent amount of luggage on them.

If I was you, I would plan on abandoning the bikes at the end of the journey. it doesn't make sense to ship them back.

I chose the Suzuki DR650
 

I'm in the midst of planning a RTW set to start the summer of 2012, and the three of us have collectively chosen the Suzuki DR650. We've got a 2006, 2007, and a 2008, and they are all the same. Great bikes.

--Alex